Fantastic Fury, Fantastic Vacation

Nature observation is an activity many people are finding rewarding theses days. First, it gets you off your duff. Second, it gets you out of the rut. Third, it sometimes surprises you.

On our recent trip to Wyoming, we spent time hiking trails, picnicking at National Forest Parks, and viewing mountains up close and from some wonderful vantage points. We spent our time in the Snowy Range along Highway 130 west of Laramie.

Camping in Nash Fork campground provided us with enough trees and spacious camping area to share with chipmunks and Golden Mantle Ground Squirrels. We thoroughly enjoyed this as our headquarters. It was quiet even while being share by other campers. It proved to be convenient from which to foray into the surrounding countryside. With Laramie to the east and Saratoga to the west we had civilization if we wanted or needed it. Yet, in between, we found nature worth seeing.

We carried some essential equipment: one, a camera, and two, binoculars. I wished that I had my very good camera, but alas, it was not to be. However, the binoculars are fantastic. I carried the Vortex 8x 42 Fury. These binoculars produce a wonderfully clear, detailed image that astounds. We could see the flies being flicked off the Bull Moose when wagging its ears. Now, that’s something. It also afforded us some great views of the Yellow-bellied Marmot at Lake Marie Falls. The marmot tried to blend in with the boulders, but the Fury made it possible to hone in on him. Such a deal; such a deal.

Bull Moose

We left our campsite at Nash Fork Campground heading west on Hwy 130 for a day in Saratoga, Wyoming. Our objective was to see the sites and shops of Saratoga and check out the historic Wolf Hotel. All of which, we did. There are some wonderful galleries in this small town and very friendly people. We lunched in the dinning room of the Wolf and headed for a swim and a shower. Alas, a summer rain shower caused us to miss swimming.

Upon heading back to the campsite, again on Hwy 130, we noticed several cars stopped alongside the road where there was no turnout, overlook, or overt reason to stop. Yet, this is a scenic highway and many a wonder at which to marvel. The trouble is getting stopped ourselves in time to pull out of traffic. So, we sped by a bit and had to turn around. We were rewarded by coming upon a red fox trying to scamper out of our site.

Having turned around we more slowly approached the small crowd gather back down the road. To our great excitement we came upon, not one, but two Bull Moose, most contentedly, lolling in the tall grass, munching away. We had seen moose in Maine, but only cows. These would be our first bulls. For several days we had heard of people sighting moose near our campsite. We had not been fortunate to have spotted them. So, this was a great discovery.

Wyoming and Marmots

Our recent vacation to Wyoming found us leaving 106 degree daytime temperature of Central Texas for a much cooler 70 degree clime of Wyoming. Nighttime in Central Texas held temperatures in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s. However, nights at our campsite in the Snowy Range near Medicine Bow held temperatures in the high 40’s and low 50’s. This was just what we needed.

We spent four days and three nights camping and hiking in the forests of the Snowy Range. One such day found us surprised to see this little fellow, a Yellow-bellied Marmot. He was dashing around the rocky slopes near Lake Marie Falls. This is his kind of neighborhood. Marmots typically like rocky boulders and talus slopes especially near grasses and vegetation that form its diet.